The story of the Forbes Expedition may well be the most fascinating of all the many French-British clashes in 1758. Join us as we welcome Matt Gault, Director of Education and Living History at Fort Ligonier, who guides us through the highs and lows of the British Empire's first attempt in three long years to finally dislodge the French from the forks of the Ohio River.

Intro & Outro music - "Drums and Guns" by Village Volunteers Drum & Fife Corps

After the 1757 Louisbourg expedition melted away without committing any troops to shore, the British are back at France's north Atlantic fortress in 1758 with a vengeance, They've got more troops, more ships, and are ready to go earlier than last time. Is there any hope for defending commander Drucour and the outnumbered French? Well, as the episode's title suggests...
 
Intro & Outro music: "Drums and Guns" by Village Volunteers Fife & Drum Corps

1758 is here in full swing! Before we analyze the massive battles that will take place all across North America (and beyond), we need to look at a big-picture view of the different opportunities, challenges, and priorities facing the British and French leadership. William Pitt is a central figure for the reversal of British fortunes in the war, and he'll be coming up again several times throughout the  rest of the podcast. Learn about him and each nation's plans! Which will succeed? Which will fail? How does Britain change the course of the war?

Intro & Outro music - "Drums and Guns" by Village Volunteers Drum & Fife Corps

Take a break from the summer heat with an account of yet another wintry battle on snowshoes between British rangers and the French with Iroquois, Nipissing, and Abenaki warriors alongside them. The last skirmish ended inconclusively, but this one nearly annihilates Rogers' entire force. Learn about the brutal fighting and narrow escape with us!

Intro & Outro music - "Drums and Guns" by Village Volunteers Fife & Drum Corps

Join us as we discuss the recently-released Young Washington movie! We've been keeping our eye on this one ever since the trailer was announced. Does it live up to our expectations? Would we recommend it? What does the movie do right and what does it do wrong? Tune in to find out!

Intro & outro music - "Drums and Guns" by Village Volunteers Fife & Drum Corps

In the middle of the night in November, 1757, a small town on the banks of the Mohawk River wakes up to the sound of gunfire and shouts. They had heard of devastating raids by the French and their native allies on other frontier settlements, but surely such a fate would never have reached them!

In this episode we discuss German migration to the British colonies, the raid on the thriving settlement of German Flatts, NY, and the poor community that just couldn't catch a break.

Intro & Outro music - "Drums and Guns" by Village Volunteers Drum & Fife Corps

Lord Loudon prepares the full might of the British war effort - both army and navy - to strike a crushing blow against New France's premier military installation. A mighty French fleet arrives on the scene in time. The stage is set for an epic confrontation unrivalled yet in the war. And then it all collapses. Learn what happened in today's episode!

Intro & outro music - "Drums and Guns" by Village Volunteers Drum & Fife Corps

While thousands of men fight and die in large battles in colonial New York, all is quiet on the Acadian front, right? Not so! While no large-scale troop battles take place in Acadia during this time frame, it is by no means a peaceful place. Learn a little bit about Acadian, Mi'kmaq, and Maliseet guerilla warfare against the British. From heroic rescues to bloody raids, the story of Acadia is worth returning to.

Intro & Outro music - "Drums and Guns" by Village Volunteers Fife & Drum Corps

August, 1757. French and Indian forces at their full might come crashing down on Fort William Henry. A decisive and impressive French victory suddenly becomes marred by a post-siege catastrophe. Learn about the tragic fate of Fort William Henry and the chaotic nature of the French-native coalition forces.

Intro & Outro music - "Drums and Guns" by Village Volunteers Fife & Drum Corps

I know, I know, we're a couple weeks late on this one... but enjoy some levity with this whimsical French and Indian War story. Maybe you've heard of it, maybe you haven't - but the battle we're covering today is quite a unique one!

Intro and outro music - Drums and Guns by Village Volunteers Drum & Fife Corps
Sound effect used: Bullfrog Concerto.wav by soloan -- https://freesound.org/s/188723/ -- License: Attribution 4.0